Average first-time homebuyer now age 40
George Kamel noted that the average homebuyer is now 40 years old, underscoring how far ahead of the curve Hunter is at 23.
Snapshot · The Ramsey Show
Building Wealth Means Choosing What Matters Most
Explore episode
Jun 29, 2026
Where this was said
Hunter in Hartford — 23, $135K Saved, Getting Married Soon
At 29:39 · chapter starts 22:08
Hunter from Hartford, Connecticut is a 23-year-old state employee who has accumulated $135,000 in savings on an $88,000 annual income — an extraordinary position for his age [1] — Hunter "23-year-old with $135K saved: Hunter, age 23, has $135,000 in savings while earning $88,000 per year — a remarkable financial position for …" 22:41 . His fiancée, whom he has dated since high school, carries $18,000 in combined car and student loan debt. His question: should he pay off her debt now, or invest more? George and Jade are clear: no touching her debt until they're legally married, because until that point it isn't his. For the money sitting in savings, Jade recommends parking it in a high-yield savings account, separating 3–6 months of projected post-move expenses, and building the rest toward a down payment. One wrinkle: health insurance is driving urgency around the wedding timeline, since she needs to get off her parents' plan. Jade doesn't love that framing. George counsels against rushing into homeownership immediately after marriage, noting that the average buyer is now 40 years old and Hunter has more runway than almost anyone. The hosts close with a gift to Hunter: a virtual ticket to the upcoming Investing Essentials event.
23, Debt-Free, and $135K Saved — What Should Hunter Do Next?
Hunter is miles ahead of his peers at 23: $135K saved, debt-free, good job with a pension, and engaged. The real questions are whether to pay off his fiancée's $18K debt before the wedding, whether to skip investing for a year to buy a house, and whether to rent first. George and Jade lay out a clear, step-by-step path including keeping the money in a high-yield savings account and letting her attack the debt before they merge finances.
23-year-old with $135K saved
Hunter, age 23, has $135,000 in savings while earning $88,000 per year — a remarkable financial position for his age.
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